Beyond Bolac
Biodiversity Blueprint Contents
Introduction 3 The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group 3 The Committee of Management 4 Stakeholders and Partners 4 Strategic Plan 5 Key Achievements 8 Profile of Catchment 10 The H11 H12 Catchment Health Report – Lake Bolac, Fiery & Salt Creeks 10 Indigenous Cultural Heritage 11 Rivers and Creeks 12 Lakes and Wetlands 13 Salinity 14 Native Flora 15 Native Fauna 20 Pest Plants and Animals 24 Land use 27 Climate Variability 28 Biodiversity Blueprint Overview 29 Why is a blueprint needed? 29 What will the blueprint do? 29 Biodiversity Maps 30 Map 1 The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group Area 31 Map 2 Modelled Native Vegetation 2005 Extent 32 Map 3 Native Vegetation Pre 1750 Ecological Vegetation Classes 36 Map 4 Native Vegetation 2005 Ecological Vegetation Classes 40 Map 5 Bioregional Conservation Status 2005 44 Map 6 Threatened Flora and Fauna 2015 48 Map 7 Hydrology 2016 52 Map 8 Index of Stream Condition 2010 56 Map 9 Land Cover 2014 60 Map 10 Cultural Heritage 2016 64 Map 11 Project Achievements 2016 68 Future Challenges 72 Future Project Ideas 74 Monitoring and Evaluation 78 References 79 Appendix 1. 82
1 Introduction
The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group (BBCAG) respectfully acknowledges that Indigenous Australians are The protection and enhancement of the natural world The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group intrinsically connected to the continent- including the area now known as Victoria. The H11 and H12 catchment is essential so that future generations can enjoy and area is Djab Wurrung, Watha Wurrung (now known as Wada Wurrung) and Girai Wurrung people country and the reap the rewards of a healthy landscape for many years The story so far… Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group Committee pays their respects to Elders both past and present. to come. The natural environment within the H11 & Beyond Bolac is a community group which was H12 sub-catchment is unique, the volcanic origins of established in 2007 to undertake restoration of the Disclaimer the area have created a productive agricultural region Lake Bolac Catchment, including the Fiery Creek which This publication may be of assistance to you, but the Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group does not guarantee containing patches of highly valuable grasslands, grassy flows into Lake Bolac and Salt Creek which flows from that it is without flaws of any kind or is highly appropriate for your purpose. It therefore disclaims all liability for any woodlands, as well as lakes and wetlands which support Lake Bolac to Hexham. Beyond Bolac aims to work with error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on information in this publication. a large variety of native plants and animals. community groups, farmers, industry and government agencies to undertake restoration activities, which Nevertheless this area is under threat from weeds Photo Credits include fencing, revegetation, and pest plant and and vermin, unsustainable farming practices, climate animal control. Bill Sharp, Nolene Fraser, Richard Jamison, David and Ruth Sweatman, Gary Peterson, Jileena Cole, Beth Mellick change, pollution, erosion and salinity just to name a few. Agriculture in particular has altered the landscape, It all started in 2004, when a meeting was called by replacing large areas of native vegetation with different concerned community members from the Lake Bolac vegetation communities including introduced pastures, Land Care Group and Michelle Calvert from Glenelg crops and shelterbelt plantings. These introduced Hopkins CMA. The meeting was held in Lake Bolac and species have radically altered the appearance of the included government department representatives, Glenelg Hopkins CMA officers, and local residents. The landscape, as well as the biodiversity. However, the natural and increased fertility of the soils and generally aim of the meeting was to discuss the drying of and consistent rainfall has provided favourable conditions future management of Lake Bolac. Other concerns for a vigorous living environment; many native species raised included control of salinity, future flooding have been able to adapt to these changed landscapes and waterways management of the catchment. The and continue to survive (Weatherly 2016) in some areas. major concern at the time was to discuss some means of controlling the overflow of the Lake to assist in The dedication of the Beyond Bolac Catchment Action salinity management. The GHCMA and its Waterways Group has been continuous since it began 2004, as an Implementation Committee, together with local initiative of Lake Bolac Land Protection Council (Lake residents, inspected the Lake and catchment to help Bolac Landcare Group), when locals realised that unless decide on actions to address these issues. collaborative action was taken, this precious natural environment would be lost. The GHCMA produced the ‘H11 & H12 Catchment Health Report, Lake Bolac, Fiery Creek and Salt Creeks’. This Biodiversity Blueprint tells the story of the Beyond The aim of the report was to review existing information Bolac Catchment Action Group and the H11 & H12 on assets, current condition, threats, management sub-catchment. This document will be used by BBCAG The development and production of this document has been funded by The Norman Wettenhall Foundation (soon options and information gaps. A Standing Committee to plan and implement vital projects throughout the to be renamed Wettenhall Environment Trust) under their Landscape Restoration Program. The Beyond Bolac Catch- of local residents and government representatives catchment in collaboration with community member’s ment Action Group wishes to thank the Foundation for their support and financial assistance, and looks forward to was appointed by the GHCMA, and this group stayed and stakeholders to restore the beauty and biodiversity working with them into the future. together long after the report’s production to form a of the landscape for posterity. grassroots community group – the H11-H12 Catchment This document and associated GIS mapping was composed by Jileena Cole under the guidance of the Beyond Action Group. In 2010 the group decided to change Bolac Catchment Action Group. their name to ‘Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group’ Jileena Cole to assist with communications, as the name would signify a connection to the wider catchment area. GDip AppSc Cons & Ecology, BA EnvSc EnvMgt, GCert Env & Planning [email protected]
2 3 Insert photo- current group BBCAG committee Strategic Plan
The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group vision
is for a biodiverse, productive, resilient and safe catchment supporting vibrant communities and land managers
Bill Sharp and Bill Weatherly at the Eel Festival
The aim of the group is The Committee of Management Stakeholders and Partners The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group nominally The Beyond Bolac CAG works closely with a number To engage, enable and assist land managers to implement projects to improve comprises around 20 committee members, made up of organisations, including corporate, private and biodiversity in a productive, healthy landscape of local landholders, industry groups, environment philanthropic; government agencies and community groups and government agency representatives as well groups across the Catchment. as the Executive Director of The Norman Wettenhall Key partners include: Foundation. The committee is not a closed committee Since its inception, Beyond Bolac CAG has been working The priority issues the Beyond Bolac CAG have been and welcomes any person with an interest in natural • The Norman Wettenhall Foundation towards implementing the recommendations from the tackling across the catchment include resource management and or catchment issues to • Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority H11 & H12 Catchment health report, these are outlined attend meetings which are held bi-monthly. • Landcare Victoria • Waterway health, erosion, sedimentation and below: • Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group financial pollution The committee has a core executive group who meet • To optimise flows in the Fiery and Salt Creeks members • Sustainable land use and productivity regularly with the appointed facilitator to address issues • Identify salinity sources in the catchment and take as they arise, outcomes of these meetings are then • Reduced flows throughout waterways and into The group is strongly supported by: remedial action communicated to other committee members on an as Lake Bolac and surrounding wetlands • Victorian State Government, Department of • Undertake salt and water budgets leading to a needs basis. On occasion, sub-committees have been • Wetland development and management Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DEWLP) water management plan formed to address specific issues, outcomes of these • Australian Government, Department of • Protection and enhancement of native vegetation, sub-committee meetings are then communicated to • Conduct further research into water quality, stream Environment in particular riparian vegetation other committee members at the regular bi-monthly flow and salinity • Lake Bolac Development Committee • Biodiversity conservation meetings. Government agency staff are always invited • Hold Community workshops to convey the findings • Ground water extraction to committee meetings, however when specific issues • Upper Hopkins Land Management Group of the report • Pest plant and animal management arise the relevant government agency representative is • Lake Bolac Foreshore Committee • Develop a communications plan to keep the requested to attend to aid valuable discussion on the • Lake Bolac Eel Festival Committee community informed In March, 2016, the Beyond Bolac CAG reviewed its topic. • Southern Farming Systems • Obtain further information and research relating to strategic plan. The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action The Norman Wettenhall Foundation has been • Parks Victoria water use Group Strategic Plan 2016 – 2021 will provide the instrumental in Beyond Bolac CAG’s ongoing success. • Southern Rural Water • Audit and identify Aboriginal places of cultural strategic direction for the group for the next 5 years, Beyond Bolac is one of seven large scale landscape • Aboriginal Affairs Victoria heritage significance it includes eight key objective for the group to work towards with a number of strategies outlined for each restoration projects The Norman Wettenhall Foundation • Ararat Rural City Council • Continue to revegetate the catchment to combat objective to address the issues facing the catchment. has invested in and it will provide support and funding • Martang Pty Ltd salinity and restore Ecological Vegetation Classes to increase the capacity of Beyond Bolac CAG to operate • Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation (EVC) in a strategic way for the long term, enabling the group • Eastern Marr Aboriginal Corporation • Continue to collect and collate existing and new to successfully communicate and coordinate activities research relevant to the catchment with its stakeholders and gain access to on-ground • Trust for Nature works funding. • Environment Protection Agency (EPA)
4 5 Table 1. Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group Strategic Plan 2016 – 2021 summary
Key Objectives for BBCAG Priority Area Strategies Key Objectives for BBCAG Priority Area Strategies 1 To protect & enhance Waterway 1.1 Advocate for increased water flow along Fiery Creek 5 To reduce the impact of Pest Plant 5.1 Seek funding through government programs for weed and waterway condition Health 1.2 Provide incentives for land managers to fence off riparian pest plant and animals and Animal vermin management where appropriate within the catchment zones within the catchment Management 5.2 Encourage biological control of weeds and pest 1.3 Provide incentives for land managers to undertake native throughout the catchment revegetation along waterways To engage and empower Community 6.1 Facilitate ‘communities of interest’ within the catchment 1.4 Obtain management agreements for all projects 6 the community and Engagement 6.2 Increase use of local media and website to promote events undertaken along waterways stakeholders to address and projects undertaken by BBCAG environmental issues 6.3 Maintain relationships with schools and involve in tree within the catchment 2 To promote restoration Wetlands 2.1 Develop education material to increase knowledge and planting projects where suitable of wetlands across the Restoration value of wetlands within the catchment 6.4 Investigate development of mobile app to provide an catchment 2.2 Provide stewardship payments to land managers for interactive educational experience for visitors restoration and management of wetlands 6.5 Develop annual program of community events, i.e. forums, 2.3 Obtain management agreements for all projects expert talks on key topics, planting days, field trips, undertaken for wetlands competitions 2.4 Provide incentives for land managers to fence off wetlands 6.6 Provide recognition of Landholders who have made a measurable contribution to enhancing and protecting the 3 To encourage and support Sustainable 3.1 Partner with Southern Farming Systems to encourage catchment i.e. Local awards, profile display at community sustainable land use and Land Use and sustainable farming practices across the catchment centre productivity throughout Productivity 3.2 Encourage a reduction in chemical use through the 6.7 Provide recognition of Landholders who have made a the catchment promotion of ICM principals to improve soil and waterway measurable contribution to enhancing and protecting the health catchment i.e. Local awards, profile display at community centre 3.3 Assist land managers to complete whole farm plans with a biodiversity focus 6.8 Engage with the ‘CMA upper fiery creek project’ participants to continue on-ground works along Fiery 3.4 Include where suitable extension officers/services within Creek grant applications 7 To increase knowledge Knowledge 7.1 Contact local universities and develop partnerships to 4 To protect riparian Protect and 4.1 To identify priority biodiversity hot spots across the and share information and Research encourage students to undertake research projects within vegetation and enhance Enhance catchment using mapping about the H11 and H12 the catchment sub-catchment biodiversity throughout Biodiversity 4.2 Work with landholders to develop site plans for future 7.2 Review and update website to enable easy access to all the catchment biodiversity projects information relating to catchment 4.3 Provide incentives for land managers to fence off remnant 7.3 Develop easy to use Mobile App tool for landholders to native vegetation record project information i.e. GPS maps, photos and statistical data (NB: Free online form builder applications 4.4 Provide incentives for land managers to undertake native available) revegetation to increase biodiversity across the catchment 7.4 Hold a workshop/event/expo for new technologies to 4.5 Obtain management agreements for projects undertaken assist land holders with sustainable land management for biodiversity values 7.5 Undertake analysis of salinity data for Fiery Creek each year 4.6 Provide incentives to land managers to fence and revegetate along Fiery where there are currently gaps in 7.6 Develop easy to use Mobile App tool for community the riparian zone members to record flora and fauna sightings within H11 & H12 sub-catchment and link to larger online databases
6 7 Several of the projects funded focused on addressing community engagement and education, on-ground works and Key Objectives for BBCAG Priority Area Strategies research & monitoring. Below is snapshot of the projects which have been completed by the group to date. 8 To maintain and build Group 8.1 Review governance of BBCAG organisational capability Governance 8.2 Develop organisational operational plan for BBCAG • Salinity monitoring throughout to deliver vision 8.3 Review BBCAG Strategic Plan Research & Monitoring catchment and particularly Fiery Creek 8.4 Develop partnerships with GHCMA, Stakeholders and • Chinaman Swamp study using EM31 other community groups to value add (funding or in-kind technology to detect concentrated salt support) to future projects intrusion into Fiery Creek 8.5 Attract new members who have an interest in the group by remaining open, honest and welcoming 8.6 Encourage active participation from existing members Community Engagement • Community workshops to convey findings of the H11 & H12 Catchment Health Report Key Achievements & Education • Groundwater forum The Beyond Bolac CAG has been very successful in securing grants from various sources, including Glenelg Hopkins • Waterway monitoring lecture CMA, the Commonwealth Government, Landcare, and The Norman Wettenhall Foundation. The below table provides • Wetlands workshop a summary of the funding received by Beyond Bolac CAG since 2007. In total, the group have secured approximately • Floods & Fencing workshop $837,683 in funding, with just over $400,000 being provided to facilitate and manage the group, with another • Strategic Planning workshops $434,000 put towards projects. • Salinity Workshop Table 2. Summary of funding received by Beyond Bolac CAG • Worshops & presentations at local schools • Field Trips to neighbouring catchments Funding Matching Year Funding provider Program received $ and/or • Participation in annual Eel Festival in Lake Bolac provided by BBCAG in-kind • Regular Newsletter articles 2010-2012 Norman Wettenhall Research and Facilitation $53,698 • Networking with stakeholders Foundation • Fire Forum with guest speakers 2012 - 2015 Vic. Government DEPI Facilitator program $170,000 • Display stands at varius field days thoughout the district 2015 - 2018 Vic. Government DEWLP Facilitator program $150,000 Facilitation 2015/2016 Norman Wettenhall Project worker $30,000 Foundation • Fencing off stock from waterways 2008/09 Commonwealth Government Comm. Water Grant Project $50,000 $20,000 On-ground works • Revegetation in riparian zones along Water Grant waterways 2009 Watershed 2000 Dr. Williams Research on Salinity. $6,600 $3,300 • Wetland rehabilitation 2009/10 Commonwealth Government GHCMA “HERO” $90,000 $45,000 • Wildlife corridors across the landscape 2009 /10 Victorian Government GHCMA 2nd. Generation Landcare $45,850 $22,925 Grant A recent review of the project completed by Beyond from investors to do so, which has also contributed 2012/13 Commonwealth Government Caring for Our Country $150,000 $75,000 Bolac CAG over the last ten years revealed a total of to improving the catchments health. Without the BBCAG Projects BBCAG 2012/13 Victorian Government GHCMA Victorian Landcare Grant $22,804 $11,402 28 grants were distributed to 20 individuals, totalling continued support and investment from the landholders 2014/15 Victorian Government GHCMA Victorian Landcare Grant $18,855 $9,428 $600,000 from investors, with a further $600,000 of within the Catchment, many of the on-ground works, 2015/16 Victorian Government GHCMA Victorian Landcare Grant $20,000 $10,000 in-kind and/or cash being provided by landholders to such as fencing, riparian revegetation and wetland complete on-ground projects. There have also been a restoration would not be possible. Beyond Bolac CAG is 2016/17 Victorian Government GHCMA Victorian Landcare Grant $29,876 $14,938 number of landholders who have undertaken fencing very appreciative for the community support and hope and revegetation without having been provided a grant that it can continue well into the future. 8 9 Pro le of Catchment
The H11 H12 Catchment Health Report – Lake Bolac, Fiery & Salt Creeks Indigenous Cultural Heritage The H11 H12 Catchment Health report – Lake Bolac, Lake Bolac, and the climate change prediction included The original custodians of the H11 H12 sub-catchment Wurrung people moved to shing grounds at Lake Bolac. Fiery & Salt Creeks was prepared in 2006 and the main lower average rainfall for the region was expected to were the Djab Wurrung people, who occupied the Lake Buloke (Lake Bolac) was the most celebrated place objective was to review all the information relating to exacerbate the situation (Gervasi & P&P Design, 2006). areas west of Fiery Creek, the Watha Wurrung people, in the Western District for the ne quality and abundance waterway health, land use and management within the who occupied the north east side of Fiery Creek and of eels, in early autumn up to 1,000 people gathered The report concluded that the predicted change in Fiery and Salt Creeks as well as Lake Bolac, known as the Girai Wurrung people who occupied the south to take advantage of the annual migration of the eels. the climate and rainfall patterns would necessitate H11 & H12 sub-catchments, to identify knowledge gaps east side of Fiery Creek. The Fiery Creek formed the Eels were captured in great numbers by building stone a cooperative approach to the management of the and enable the community and government agencies boundary between the Djab Wurrung to the west and barriers across rapid streams and diverting the current catchments water resources and provided a number of to coordinate activities that would lead to improved the Watha Wurrong and Girai Wurrung people to the through an opening into a funnel-mouthed basket recommendations in an attempt to achieve this. The health of the sub-catchment. east. There were eight clans from the three groups pipe, three to four feet long, two inches in diameter and Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group took up the known to exist within the sub-catchment area. There closed at the lower end. When the streams extend over The report found that the catchment had experienced challenge to implement the recommendations from were ve Djab Wurrung clans, these included the Buller the marshes in times of ood, clay embankments two many changes to vegetation cover, water quantity and the report; the full report can be downloaded from the buller cote gundidj clan at the junction of Salt Creek quality and land use. Overall rainfall and rainfall events Beyond Bolac website at www.beyondbolac.org. to three feet high and sometimes three to four hundred and the Hopkins River, the Bulukbara clan at Lake Bolac, had decreased while water use had increased. In 2006, yards in length were built across them to con ne the It has been 10 years since the report was undertaken, Peeripar balug clan at Fiery Creek, 32 kilometres south when the report was undertaken, the estimated water current to a narrow opening in which the pipe baskets and there have been many environmental, social of Mt Cole, Puppellenneerring clan at Fiery Creek, 48 use across the catchment was more than 11,000 mega were placed (Dawson, 1881). and economic changes across the catchment. This kilometres southwest of Mt Cole litres per annum, and large volume stream ows had Biodiversity Blueprint will provide an update on the and Terrumbehal gundidj clan, Europeans rst arrived in the area not occurred for a number of years resulting in saline In season, eels were a stable food, health of the catchment to assist its management into between the Hopkins River and in the early 1800s and claimed water in Lake Bolac not being ushed into Salt Creek. and the Djab Wurrung people, the the future. Fiery Creek (Clark, 1995). the fertile lands as their own. The combined e ect of changed rainfall patterns, which Watha Wurrung people and the There were many clashes in decreased runo and salinity had a dramatic impact on Girai Wurrung people moved to which both parties experienced Djab Wurrung country was shing grounds at Lake Bolac. deaths. Victoria was established mostly volcanic plain punctuated as a separate colony in 1851 and with a large number of perennial government policies regarding and intermittent lakes and swamps. The Djab Wurrung Aboriginal people became increasingly intrusive into people camped along areas of overlap between major their lives. Demand for fertile farming land steadily vegetation types and along streams, where timber and increased and by the 1870s the Aboriginal people had fuel were more abundant. A common campsite was a mainly been dispersed to di erent areas across the constructed earthen mound, usually located on the bank region including to established missions (Weir, 2009). of a stream or on a good vantage point (Clark, 1995). The evidence of Aboriginal occupation in Victoria There was one clan from the Watha Wurrung people is present throughout the landscape in the form of which was located at Carranballac, known as the Corrin Aboriginal cultural heritage places and in the personal, corrinjer balug, who traded stones and adhesive gum family and community histories of Aboriginal people at trade meetings near Lake Terang. There were two (GHCMA, 2015). A stone arrangement, north of clans from the Girai Wurrung people, the Ngalug barar Lake Bolac, is believed to be a signi cant Aboriginal balug clan midway between Mount Shadwell and Lake ceremonial site. The basalt stones are arranged in lines Bolac near Lake Eyang, and the Flat Top Hill Clan at Flat and are said to resemble a giant eel. Some of these stones Topped Hill half between Mt Shadwell and Lake Eyang were removed to make way for a road, now known as (Clark, 1995). These clans would meet along Fiery Creek the Glenelg Highway (Wikipedia, 2015). Another site of and at Lake Bolac to harvest eels and hunt emus and archaeological signi cance can be found on the eastern other game. shore of Lake Bolac in a dune complex which extends In season, eels were a staple food, and the Djab Wurrung south of the Fiery Creek. Animal bones, stone tools people, the Watha Wurrung people and the Girai and charcoal have been found at the site and some of 10 11 the remains have been dated back to approximately the con uence of the Fiery Creek and Wongan Creek. blue-green algae that impact on regional communities 12,480±560 before present, with reports referencing the Fiery Creek has a number of smaller tributaries of which and the economy (GHCMA, 2014). Pest plants can site as far back as 1841. There are erosion issues at the Wongan Creek is the largest (Gervasi & P&P Design, signi cantly reduce waterway values by decreasing river site which has prompted a rock wall to be constructed 2006). The smaller tributaries include Billy Billy Creek, access for recreational activities; pest animals impact at the base of the dune to help stabilise the site (Gervasi Cave Hill Creek, Challicum Creek, Charleycombe Creek, native species by direct predation or competing for & P&P Design 2006). Dairy Maid Creek, Ditch eld Creek, Middle Creek, Sandy habitat and food; and climate change, water extraction, Creek and Wongan Creek. The two major waterways land use and river regulation can all alter ow regimes. Today, there are three registered Aboriginal Parties within H11 sub-catchment include the continuation (RAPs) who are the voice of Aboriginal people in the of the Fiery Creek, from the con uence with Wongan Lakes and Wetlands management and protection of Aboriginal cultural Creek, and Salt Creek. Lake Bolac is situated at the centre of the H11 sub- heritage within the H11 & H12 sub-catchment. The catchment and has a catchment area of approximately Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, Martang Pty Fiery Creek has a length of approximately 100 kilometres 1680km2 (168,000 ha). The lake is primarily fed by ows Ltd and Wathaurung Aboriginal Corporation. The through this sub-catchment and terminates at Lake from the Fiery Creek which discharge into the lake at the local community hosts a festival biannually known as Bolac. Its over ow becomes Salt Creek which has a southeast corner. The geological history of Lake Bolac the Lake Bolac Eel Festival which was inspired by the length of approximately 25 kilometres. Fiery Creek’s area is best described as volcanic in origin, the lake eel harvest gatherings once held by the traditional headwaters are located between Beaufort and Ararat itself is formed in a natural depression and historical owners of the land. The Festival has an environmental on the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range in information suggests that Lake Bolac was ephemeral and reconciliation theme, one of the aims of the the H12 sub-catchment. Salt Creek begins at the outlet in nature and would have dried out completely during festival is to foster reconciliation and mutual respect of Lake Bolac, and ows through low-lying land and is extreme dry periods (Gervasi & P&P Design, 2006). and understanding between indigenous and non- dotted with a large number of wetlands. Historically indigenous peoples, and a key part of the festival has the wetland areas retained water in the catchment At the outlet of Lake Bolac where Salt Creek begins, an included a Healing Walk. during wetter periods and allowed water to leave arti cial weir has been constructed which is believed the catchment through the year, however the land to have signi cantly altered the natural hydrology and Rivers and Creeks around Salt Creek appears to have been modi ed with water quality of the lake. Historically, it is believed that Geographically a catchment is an area of land that improved drainage for pasture and crops, with many of the mouth of the outlet was blocked by sand, which Spillway at entrance to Lake Bolac, February 2011 drains to a single low point such as a gully, creek or the wetlands now drained. under certain conditions was breached and allowed river. A large catchment may be part of the water from wetlands to ood downstream. made up of a series of smaller The rivers and creeks within the Due to local concern at the time that the sand bar could wetlands covering an area of 2293 hectares while H11 sub-catchments and these are Fiery creek has a length of H11 H12 sub-catchment provide be washed away permanently and a valuable water sub-catchment had 801 wetlands covering an area made up of soil, water, air and approximately 100 km through the many bene ts to the region, such resource lost, the outlet was blocked with rock. Various of 9639 hectares (Gervasi & P&P Design, 2006). These vegetation. Together these sub-catchment and terminates at as ltering water for agriculture stages of construction upgrades and decommissioning gures are from one point in time, the very nature of elements support life and make Lake Bolac. and drinking water supply, have resulted in the current situation with a concrete wetlands means that drought, heavy rains and the ease up an ecosystem that within as well as supporting unique spillway with no water level control device (Gervasi & of which wetlands can be drained, can decrease or it, has cycling of nutrients and ora and fauna populations. P&P Design, 2006). increase the number of wetlands present and the area other elements. Each component is linked, so when They also provide a range of social values including they occupy. There are a large number of wetlands which exist one changes it has an e ect on the other elements. The shing, boating, camping, swimming, picnicking and throughout the catchment, most are small and There is one highly valued wetland in the H11 H12 sub- H11 & H12 sub-catchment is located within the Hopkins bushwalking. There are a number of threats facing ephemeral (only wet some of the time) and on private, catchment, the Nerrin Nerrin Wetlands system, which River Basin in Western Victoria; the climate of the area the rivers and creeks within H11 H12 sub-catchment. agricultural land, however there are others which are is located 11km east of Lake Bolac and consists of an is best described as Mediterranean, with hot summers The value and condition of rivers and creeks are larger. A wetland, as classi ed by the Ramsar Convention inlet from Fiery Creek and ve wetlands. Three of these and cool winters. The average rainfall ranges from 537 often compromised by erosion and sedimentation, (1971), are areas of marsh, fen (swamp), peatland wetlands are managed by Parks Victoria and two are mm/year at Lake Bolac to up to 572 mm/year in the particularly where catchments have been cleared and or water, whether natural or arti cial, permanent or located on privately owned land. Over ow from this upper catchment around the headwaters of Fiery Creek stock can directly access the waterway. temporary, with water that is static or owing, fresh, system ows into Paddy Lake and terminates at Lake at Buangor (BOM, 2015 Rainfall Data). Increased nutrient loads in waterways as a result of brackish or salt, including areas of marine water depth Gellie. The Nerrin Nerrin Wetlands are listed in the The major waterway in the H12 sub-catchment is the uncontrolled stock access, agricultural fertilisers and of which low tide does not exceed six meters. In 2006, national directory of Important Wetlands in Australia Fiery Creek, which stretches from the My Cole Range to urban storm water runo , can cause blooms of toxic it was reported that the H12 sub-catchment had 242 and are considered a high priority wetland asset in the 12 13 Figure 2. Salinity levels of waterways based on records from 2000 – 2016 (Allender U, 2016)
Neerin Nerrin Swamp and homestead
Glenelg Hopkins Waterway Strategy 2014-2022. They Land manager’s attitudes towards wetlands is ow, when Lake Bolac is not spilling into Salt Creek, the catchment experienced a signi cant ooding event support a rich ora, as well as large numbers of water changing, there is increasing recognition of the critical Lake acts as a sink for salt from the upper catchment. triggering a ush of the system and good water levels birds, including nine species listed on international interdependencies between agriculture and healthy The moderately saline water which enters Lake Bolac across the catchment. Based on the data collected, the migratory bird agreements and signi cant occurrences wetlands. Management practices are encouraging become super saline when evaporation occurs and graph indicates that the salinity levels are increasing as of three threatened water bird species: Freckled Duck, land managers to retain and restore wetlands. Further there is not enough ow to ush water down Salt Creek. the water ows from the upper catchment to Lake Bolac. Brolga and Whiskered Tern. The nationally vulnerable research into how to manage particular wetland types Measurement of salinity levels along Fiery Creek began Growling Grass Frog also occurs at Nerrin Nerrin within di erent agricultural systems is needed to Native Flora back in the year 2000 by local landcare members. Salinity Wetlands (GHCMA, 2006). ensure that wetlands can be sustainably managed into levels are measured when water levels are high enough The H11 H12 sub-catchments stretches across four of the future. Many of the wetlands within the H11 H12 sub- to get a reasonable sample. In March 2007, salinity levels Victoria’s bioregions, the Victorian Volcanic Plains and catchment are located on private agricultural land. in Lake Bolac were recorded to be 85,000EC which was the Dundas Tablelands in the south and Gold elds and Salinity Wetlands can provide numerous bene ts to agriculture, up from 27,000EC in September of 2006 (Gervasi & P&P Central Victorian Uplands in the north. Most of the such as improving water quality, contributing to Salts occur naturally to some extent within the Design, 2006) In March 2016, the salinity level at Lake catchment is covered by the Victorian Volcanic Plain ood mitigation and the consistency of stream ows. waterways, lakes and wetlands within the H11 H12 sub- Bolac’s South Beach was 50,000EC and at Lake Bolac Bioregion which is dominated by Cainozoic volcanic Wetlands also aid soil conservation e orts, and catchment. However, there is evidence to suggest that East Beach it was 51,600EC, which was well above the deposits which formed extensive at to undulating contribute to the sustainability of natural food networks the salinity within Lake Bolac has been increasing over 13,200EC which was recoded the same time the year basaltic plain with stony rises, old lava ows, numerous that enhance and protect agriculture animals and crops time, and could be triggered by two separate processes. before (Allender U, 2016). The graph below shows volcanic cones and old eruption points and is therefore (Wetland Care Australia, 2016). The value of wetlands It is thought that long term increases in salinity could the highest, lowest and average salinity for various dotted with shallow lakes both salt and freshwater. in agricultural systems is sometimes underestimated, occur where changes in land use and impacts on ground waterways within the H11 H12 sub-catchment between The soils are generally grey loams (Weatherly, 2016) numerous wetlands have already been lost through water could be responsible for either salinity runo or the year 2000 and 2016. It’s important to note that this with small patches of shallow reddish-brown to black drainage and inappropriate management, cropping and discharges of saline groundwater into surface waters. It data represents only a small snapshot in time, and a loams and clays which are highly fertile. Wetland more recently, land use and climate change. Reduced is also thought that, in the short term, concentrations of larger time period would provide a better picture of the formations include inland salt marshes, permanent rainfall has severely impacted on runo into wetlands, salts and increased salinity levels result from an increase salinity levels within the upper catchment. Between the and intermittent freshwater and saline/brackish lakes, and as a result, wetlands that were wet every year might in evaporation and a decrease in precipitation over the year 2000- 2016 many waterways were dry preventing permanent freshwater ponds and marshes and inland, only be wet every second or third year (GHCMA, 2016). hotter months of the year. During periods of low water salinity levels to be measured, however in 2011, the subterranean karst wetlands (DELWP, 2015). 14 15 due to weed and feral animal invasion and loss of native biodiversity, that their capacity to maintain ecosystem function is impaired (DSEWPC, 2011)
Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands are temporary freshwater wetlands that are inundated on a seasonal basis, typically lling after winter-spring rains, and then drying out. The vegetation is generally treeless and dominated by an herbaceous ground layer, often with grasses, sedges and rushes with small owering plants present. The species present are characteristic of wetter locations and are typically absent or uncommon in Salt Creek near Woorndoo any adjoining dryland grasslands and woodlands. The dominant plants present are subject to seasonal and EVCs at 1:100,000 scale. EVCs are described through species such as River Red Gums and Swamp Gums with site conditions, and the diversity of the ora may range a combination of oristics, lifeforms and ecological understory species including wattles, grasses, sedges from relatively species-poor to species-rich composition characteristics, and through an inferred trustworthiness (Department of Environment, 2016). and lilies, these two EVCs are also listed as endangered. to particular environmental attributes. Each EVC The wetland area EVCs include Plains Grassy Wetlands, The land tenure within which the Seasonal Herbaceous includes a collection of oristic communities that occur which is endangered, and Plains Sedgy Wetlands which Wetlands ecological community occurs, is primarily across a biogeographic range, and although di ering in is listed as vulnerable and characterised by a sparse private land and the main land use is agriculture, mainly species, have similar habitat and ecological processes. shrub and ground cover dominated by grasses and small grazing and cropping. The generally at landscape and Eurambeen Redgum and Wetland Based on the Victorian State sedges and herbs. The vegetation fertile soils where Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands occur Government EVC mapping is typically species-rich on the are conducive to agriculture. Freshwater Meadows in 2005, the dominant EVC Within the Victorian Volcanic outer verges but is usually and Shallow Freshwater Marshes are typical wetland Within the Victorian Volcanic Plain bioregion, the found within the H11 H12 Plains bioregion, the Australian species-poor in the wetter central types found in the Victorian Volcanic Plains Seasonal Australian Government has identi ed the Natural sub-catchment VVP bioregion Government has identi ed the areas; it has been presumed that Herbaceous Wetlands ecological community, within Temperate Grassland, Grassy Eucalypt Woodland and area is Plains Grassland, which Natural Temperate Grasslands, these EVCs are now extinct within Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands as critically endangered Glenelg Hopkins CMA area. They are shallow and dry for is characterized by treeless Grassy Eucalypt Woodland and the catchment (GHCMA, 2006), ecological communities which are protected under the most of the year and may not be recognised as wetlands, vegetation mostly less than 1 m Seasonal Herbaceous Wetlands as however there is local evidence Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation which means that they are easily drained or cropped. At tall dominated by largely grasses critically endangered ecological to suggest there are some very Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Temperate grasslands and grassy least 70 per cent of freshwater meadows in the Glenelg and herb life forms. Species communities. small pockets in existence. woodlands are among the most under-represented Hopkins catchment have been drained and many of the usually found within this EVC ecosystems in Australia’s conservation estate and are smaller wetlands that remain on private land are grazed include Kangaroo Grass, Wallaby The Dundas Tablelands covers a recognised nationally as among the most threatened by domestic animals or cropped during dry years. The Grass, and herbs such as the small section of the catchment vegetation types. Both ecological communities were greatest threats to these wetlands are ploughing, farm iconic Blue Devil, Slender Sun Orchid, Lemon Beauty along the western side of Lake Bolac and Salt Creek formerly extensive on the Victorian volcanic plain chemicals and sprays, pest plants, vegetation removal Heads and Pink Bindweed. This area is also dotted with from Lake Bolac to half way between Woorndoo and but now comprise mostly small, highly fragmented and unrestricted grazing (GHCMA, 2016). Plains Grassy Woodland and small patches of Heathy Hexham. Dundas Tablelands is predominantly a hard remnants in a landscape that has been largely cleared Dry Forest, which normally includes eucalyptus species Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVC) are the standard ironstone layer caps the Paleozoic deposits, resisting for agriculture (DSEWPC, 2011). such as Grey Box, Yellow Box and Yellow Gum, Red unit for classifying vegetation types in Victoria and erosion. Streams have cut deep narrow valleys across Stringybark, Broad-leaved Peppermint and Narrow-leaf Less than ve per cent of the original extent of both are based on early approaches to mapping the the tablelands. The mapping suggests that the Peppermint. Both these EVCs are listed as endangered communities remains, although patches in good oristic communities for Victoria’s ve regional forest dominate EVC in this area is Plains Grassy Woodlands, by the State Government of Victoria. condition are likely to constitute less than one per cent. agreements in the 1990’s. Through the regional forest which is characterised by an open, eucalypt woodland Most known remnants are small – under 10 hectares agreement process and subsequent mapping projects Along the creek lines, the mapping suggest that the of River Red Gums with an understory which consists in size. Many patches of these ecological communities in the non-productive forest regions of the state, dominant EVC includes Floodplain Riparian Woodland of a few sparse shrubs over a species-rich grassy and require recovery e orts because they are so degraded, the whole of the state of Victoria was mapped with and Creek-line Grassy Woodland, which includes herbaceous ground layer and listed as endangered. 16 17 The table below list ora species of national or state signi cance within the H11 H12 sub-catchment. This list was sourced from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas, which has more than six million records of species distribution and abundance from systematic surveys and general observations for the State of Victoria, and only includes listings from 2005 – 2015. It’s important to note that this list is not de nitive, and it is likely that some of these species may no longer be present, while other species could be present but not listed below.
Table 3. Flora of National and State Signi cance for H11 and H12 Sub-catchment. Source: Victorian Biodiversity Insert Photo – Central Victorian Uplands Atlas 2016
Flora of National and State Signi cance (2005 – 2015) Scienti c Name Common Name Leucochrysum albicans var. tricolor White Sunray Pimelea spinescens subsp. spinescens Spiny Rice- ower Diuris basaltica Small Golden Moths Rutidosis leptorhynchoides Button Wrinklewort H12 sub-catchment landscape Senecio macrocarpus Large-headed Fireweed Daviesia laevis Grampians Bitter-pea The headwaters of Fiery Creek ow through the Central grasses and herbs, often including a suite of fern species. Prasophyllum suaveolens Fragrant Leek-orchid Victorian Uplands Bioregion, which is dominated by Along the easterly and southerly aspects of the lower Dianella amoena Matted Flax-lily granitic and sedimentary terrain with metamorphic and slopes and in gullies is where the Herb-rich foothill old volcanic rocks which have formed steeply sloped forest thrives. It is characterised by a medium to tall Ptilotus erubescens Hairy Tails peaks and ridges (DELWP 2015). The EVC mapping open forest or woodland to 25m tall with a small tree Senecio cunninghamii var. cunninghamii Branching Groundsel implies that the three most dominant EVCs within this layer over a sparse to dense shrub layer. A high diversity Boronia nana var. pubescens Dwarf Boronia bioregion include Heathy dry forest, Herb-rich foothill of herbs and grasses in the ground layer characterise forest and Grassy dry forest. Heathy dry forest grows this EVC (DEWLP, 2015). Coronidium gunnianum Pale Swamp Everlasting on shallow, rocky skeletal soils on a variety of geologies Dianella sp. a . longifolia (Benambra) Arching Flax-lily It’s important to note that the native vegetation within and on a range of landforms from gently undulating the H11 H12 sub-catchment has been highly modi ed Sclerolaena patenticuspis Spear-fruit Copperburr hills to exposed aspects on ridge tops and steep slopes and many of the EVC which should exist may no longer Sida intricata Twiggy Sida at a range of elevations. The over-storey is a low, open be present. There may only be a few key species which eucalypt forest to 20m tall and includes species such Thelymitra gregaria Basalt Sun-orchid survive in any one area, which makes it di cult to as Red Stringybark and Broad Leaved Peppermint Ranunculus diminutus Brackish Plains Buttercup determine what existed in the past and therefore what eucalypts. The understorey is typically dominated by should be re-planted to increase the biodiversity value Diuris gregaria Clumping Golden Moths a low, sparse to dense layer of shrubs including the for the future, especially within a changing climate. Local common heath, Golden Bush pea and the iconic Grass Poa physoclina Wind-blown Tussock-grass knowledge suggests that the soils across the catchment tree. Grasses are frequently present in the ground layer, Bossiaea cordigera Wiry Bossiaea are grey/loams, and that Grey Box and Yellow Gums are but do not provide much cover (DELWP, 2015). no longer present. Swamp Gums are limited to Fiery Comesperma polygaloides Small Milkwort Grassy dry forest has a similar canopy to the Heathy Creek in the upper catchment, along with Candlebark, Correa aemula Hairy Correa dry forest however it is characterised by a smaller Messmate, Yellow Box and Scentbark species. The Fiery Diuris behrii Golden Cowslips tree layer including a number of Acacia species. The Creek also supports remnant Red Gums, Tea Trees and understorey consists of a sparse shrub layer and ground Tree Violets, however there are only limited areas where Eucalyptus yarraensis Yarra Gum layer dominated by a high diversity of drought-tolerant Sheoaks, Banksia’s and Bursaria exist today. Galium curvihirtum Tight Bedstraw
18 19 Native Fauna Table 4. Fauna of National and State Signi cance for H11 & H12 sub-catchment, source: Victorian Biodiversity Atlas, 2016 The H11 H12 sub-catchment is home to a vast array of The H11 H12 sub-catchment is also home to a number of native wildlife. The Short Finned Eel (Anguilla Australis) rare, threatened and endangered native species which Fauna of National and State Signi cance (2005-2015) is the most familiar species linked to Lake Bolac due to are protected either under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Scienti c Name Common Name its signi cance in the Indigenous cultural heritage of Guarantee Act 1988 or the Australian Government’s the area. The Eel commences an extraordinary journey Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. A list Actitis hypoleucos Common Sandpiper from where they spawn near Vanuatu, undertaking of national or state signi cant species is provided in table Tringa nebularia Common Greenshank metamorphosis from larvae to a juvenile eel, prior to 3. This list was sourced from the Victorian Biodiversity Gallinago hardwickii Latham’s Snipe arriving in the freshwater estuaries of Australia and New Atlas, which has more than six million records of species Zealand. distribution and abundance from systematic surveys Plegadis falcinellus Glossy Ibis and general observations for the State of Victoria, and Ardea modesta Eastern Great Egret In Victoria, juvenile eels begin their upstream migration only includes listings from 2005 – 2015. It’s important between the months of March and October. Adult eels Biziura lobata Musk Duck to note that this list is not de nitive, and it is likely that live in Lake Bolac and surrounding wetlands until the some of these species may no longer be present, while Litoria raniformis Growling Grass Frog eels reach sexual maturity, around the age of 10, when other species could be present but not listed below. Miniopterus schreibersii bassanii Common Bent-wing Bat (southern ssp.) they return to their birthplace to spawn and die. The Short Finned Eel is widespread and common in coastal Delma impar Striped Legless Lizard river systems in southern Queensland, New South Wales, Circus assimilis Spotted Harrier Victoria, Tasmania and the larger Bass Straight islands as Falco subniger Black Falcon well as the islands found in the south-western Paci c. Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart Pseudemoia pagenstecheri Tussock Skink Galaxiella toourtkoourt Little Galaxias Chlidonias hybridus javanicus Whiskered Tern Nycticorax caledonicus hillii Nankeen Night Heron Pseudophryne bibronii Brown Toadlet Climacteris picumnus victoriae Brown Treecreeper (south-eastern ssp.) Grus rubicunda Brolga Anas rhynchotis Australasian Shoveler Aythya australis Hardhead Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck
Juvenile Short Finned Eel
20 21 Four unique threatened species found within the Threats such as rock removal, vegetation clearance, Victorian Volcanic Plans of H11 H12 sub-catchment inappropriate grazing, wetland loss and inappropriate include the Corangamite Water Skink, the Striped water management have contributed to its decline Legless Lizard, the Growling Grass Frog, which are and threaten the remaining populations. The protected nationally under the Environment Protection Corangamite Water Skink is listed as Endangered under and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and the Brolga, protected in the State of Victoria by the Flora Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Threatened under and Fauna Gurantee Act 1988. the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988, and is considered Critically Endangered in Victoria (DSE, The Corangamite Water Skink (Eulamprus tympanum Brolgas at Tiverton Station, Western Victoria. 2011). marnieae) is endemic to Victoria where it is restricted to the rocky verges of a few wetlands on the Victorian The Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar) is a grassland is a pale grey colour with an obvious red to orange the ground open and turn it over in search of food (DSE, Volcanic Plain. The skink is a medium sized lizard and specialist, being found only in areas of native grassland patch on their head with a black dewlap (piece of skin) 2010). An extensive drought, combined with draining grows up too 25cm long and is a pale olive to dark and nearby grassy woodland and exotic pasture. hanging underneath their chin. The Brolga is found and modi cation of wetlands and other pressures such yellowish-brown colour with irregular black markings. A Super cially, these animals resemble snakes, but can across north and north east Australia, north east as fox predation have driven brolga numbers in western heavy, irregular, somewhat broken black stripe extends be readily distinguished from the latter by the presence Queensland and right through to Victoria and is listed Victoria to an historical low, at the April 2014 count, from the snout along the sides to the hind limbs, of external ear openings, a eshy undivided tongue as a threatened species under Victoria’s Flora and Fauna Brolga numbers in southwest Victoria were 464 (Brolga while the limbs are overlain by heavy black stripes and a tail which, when unbroken, is longer than the Guarantee Act 1988. Recovery Group, 2016). and blotches. The skink has undergone a decline, body. The striped legless lizard is patchily distributed disappearing from at least two historical locations, and in grasslands of south-eastern NSW, the ACT, north- The Brolgas survival depends on the presence of Drainage of shallow wetlands where Brolgas nest is is known from only 30 sites representing 11 discrete eastern, central and south-western Victoria, and, wetlands; during the breeding period, between July to the primary cause of the decline in Brolga numbers, existing populations (DSE, 2011). It has been known possibly, south-eastern South Australia. It is believed to December, there main habitat is freshwater meadows or compounded by predators such as foxes taking eggs to exist at two sites around Lake Bolac and also at the have declined throughout its distribution and is known shallow freshwater marshes, although they have been and killing chicks. The cropping of swamps has been Nerrin Nerrin wetlands. to have disappeared from many sites. It is the loss and known to nest in the shallows of deep freshwater marshes shown to result in a reduced diversity and density degradation of native grassland, through a variety of and in association with vegetation on permanent open of plants compared with uncropped swamps, at a processes that is primarily responsible for the decline of waters to provide protection landscape level the widespread D. impar (Smith & Robertson, 1999). from predators such as foxes. cropping of swamps could Brolga pairs bond for life and The Brolga is one of Australia’s reduce the quantity and quality The Growling Grass Frog is one of the largest frog species have been known to utilise the largest ying birds, measuring of Brolga habitat in the landscape in Australia and reaches up to 104mm in length. They same nesting areas for up to 20 from anywhere between 1–1.3m (Brolga Recovery Group, 2016). vary in colour and pattern but in general are olive to years. The birds also spend time in height, with a wing span The Brolga Recovery Group was bright emerald green with irregular gold, brown, black on salt lakes throughout the ranging from 1.7 – 2.4m. created in 2010 to implement the or bronze spotting with warty backs. This species is region, probably feeding on brine conservation objectives of the found mostly amongst emergent or fringing vegetation shrimp and roosting. During the Department of Sustainability and in or at the edges of still or slow- owing water bodies non-breeding period from late December to early May, Environment’s Flora and Fauna Action Statement No. such as lagoons, swamps, lakes, ponds and farm dams. habitat comprises deep freshwater marshes, vegetated 119. This community-based group comprises of farmers, It was previously widespread across Victoria, however areas in permanent open water and feeding areas conservationists and interested people who organise has now disappeared from most of its former range. The in pasture, seed and stubble crops (Brolga Recovery workshops, eld excursions and actively promotes Striped Leggless lizard at Cross Roads, South West Victoria species persists in isolated populations in the greater Group, 2016). Melbourne area, in the south-west of Victoria and a few the scienti c collection of observations on brolgas. To The brolga feed on both plant and animal matter address the lack of data on Brolga ecology, the Brolga sites in central Victoria and Gippsland (Department of and will eat a variety of wetland plants, insects and Recovery Group has made available a free calendar for the Environment, 2016). amphibians, and have also known to eat mice. Brolgas the community to use to record relevant observations The Brolga is one of Australia’s largest ying birds, are quite skilled at foraging for food, and can even do so of brolgas. This data is analysed and made available measuring from anywhere between 1 to 1.3m in height, with their head completely submerged in water. They for researchers. (Birdlife Ballarat, 2016). For further with a wing span ranging from 1.7 to 2.4m. The Brolga will use their heavy bill as a type of crow bar to wedge information, visit www.brolgarecoverygroup.org. 22 23 Pest Plants and Animals Below is a list of some of the weeds present within the H11 H12 catchment, this list is not de nitive, and other weed species may be present within the catchment. If you know of a weed species which is not listed, or notice a di erent There are a number of pest plant and animal species animals. The CaLP Act de nes roles and responsibilities weed emerging on your land, please notify the Beyond Bolac CAG. present within the H11 H12 sub-catchment and e ective and regulates the management of declared weeds and management of these species is key to improving the pest animals (Department of Economic Development, Table 5. Declared weed species and their current classi cation found in H11 H12 sub-catchment 2016 economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the Jobs, Transport and Resources, 2016). Under the CaLP CaLP Act 1994 Weeds of National sub-catchment. Weeds are among the most serious Act all land owners have legal obligations regarding Common Name Species Name threats to south western Victoria’s primary production the management of declared noxious weeds and pest Classi cation Signi cance 1999 and natural environment. They reduce farm and forest animals on their land. The level of threat posed by a Willow Salix Spp. Restricted WoNS productivity, displace native species and contribute weed species determines who is responsible for its Bridal Creeper Asparagus asparagoides Restricted WoNS signi cantly to land degradation. Signi cant costs are control under the CaLP Act. Responsible agencies and/ borne by private and public land managers, industry, or individuals are required to control or eradicate these Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna Restricted local government and utility companies. However, the weeds according to the following categories: English Broom Cytisus scoparius Restricted WoNS full extent of weed damage is di cult to quantify due to • Regionally prohibited weeds are not widely Paterson’s Curse Echium plantagineum Regionally Controlled the intangible costs of a reduction in biodiversity. distributed in a region but are capable of spreading Serrated Tussock Nessella trichotoma Regionally Controlled WoNS Weed species are classi ed into two main types, further and it is reasonable to expect that they Spiny Rush Juncus acutus Regionally Controlled environmental weeds and agricultural weeds. can be eradicated from a region. Land owners, Environmental weeds are those species that threatened including public authorities responsible for crown Bathurst burr Xanthium spinosum Regionally Controlled the natural values of native areas such as bushlands, land management, must take all reasonable steps Gorse Ulex eutopaeus Regionally Controlled WoNS grasslands, waterways and wetlands. They can be to eradicate regionally prohibited weeds on their Blackberry Rubus fruticosus L. agg. Regionally Controlled WoNS introduced species or native species outside their land. Box Thorn Lycium ferocissimum Miers Regionally Controlled WoNS normal rage and outcompete other indigenous species. • Regionally controlled weeds are usually widespread Agricultural weeds threatened sustainable productivity, in a region and to prevent their spread, ongoing Boneseed/Bitou Bush Chrysanthemoides monilifera (L.) Norl. Regionally Controlled WoNS such as being toxic to stock, causing loss of condition control measures are required. Land owners have Cape Tulip Moraea Spp. Regionally Controlled and or death, or they out-compete desirable crop the responsibility to take all reasonable steps Horehound Marrubium vulgare L. Regionally Controlled pasture species reducing production (Ararat Rural City to prevent the growth and spread of regionally Council, 2016). controlled weeds on their land. Sweet Briar Rosa rubiginosa L. Regionally Controlled St Johns Wart Hypericum perforatum L. Family Clusiaceae Regionally Controlled Both environmental and agricultural weeds can be • Restricted weeds pose an unacceptable risk of declared noxious, meaning they have been declared spreading in Victoria and are a serious threat to Amsinckia Amsinckia spp. Regionally Prohibited under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 another State or Territory of Australia. Trade in these weeds and their propagules, either as plants, seeds (CaLP Act) as a signi cant threat. Pest animals can Taskforce was created in 1999 by active Victorian and up to 25 years (National Gorse Taskforce, 2006). or contaminants in other materials is prohibited also be declared under the CaLP Act if they pose a community members who were concerned about the (Department of Economic Development, Jobs, signi cant threat to the natural values of native areas. impacts of gorse. It’s important to note that most environmental weeds Transport and Resources, 2016). will not be declared under the CaLP Act, however The VGT is an advisory committee made up of passionate The status of weeds in continually being reviewed and if the plant species is causing damage to a native individuals and Natural Resource Management therefore the current category for certain weeds may environment, then it is de ned as an environmental organisation representatives who uses investment change over time. weed and should be managed to control its spread or attracted from government to develop community-led eradicated if possible. projects that aim to rid areas of Victoria from this pest and reduce its impact where that is not possible (VGT, In Victoria, the CaLP Act is the main legislation 2016). Managing Gorse is a long term commitment and covering weeds and pest animal management. One requires many techniques, the four parts of a successful of the main objectives of the CaLP Act is to protect gorse control program include prevention of spread, primary production, Crown land, the environment and removal of above-ground mass of gorse, destruction of Gorse on roadside beside Fiery Creek community health from the e ects of weeds and pest regrowth and follow-up seedlings for at least ve years
24 25 more widely across the catchment in recent years Below is a list of some of the pest animals present within the H11 H12 catchment, this list is not de nitive, and other include Paterson’s Curse and Serrated Tussock (Andrews pest animal species may be present within the catchment. D, 2016). Table 6. Some pest animal species found within H11 H12 sub-catchment.
Common Name Speceis Name CaLP Act 1994 Fisheries Act 1995 EPBC Act 1999 Fox Vulpes vulpes Established Pest Animal Threatening Process Rabbit Orycotolagus Established Pest Animal Threatening Process cuniculus (wild/feral populations)
Amsinckia Mosquito Fish Gambusia holbrooki Noxious aquatic species Carp Cyprinus carpio Noxious aquatic species There are two emerging weeds within the H11 H12 sub- catchment, Amsinckia and St Johns Wart, which should be monitored and managed appropriately. Amsinckia is St Johns Wart drought, generational change and farm aggregation also commonly known as yellow burr weed, buckthorn, (Ararat Rural City Council & Planisphere, 2014). Other tar weed or yellow gromwell. It is a small owering Pest animals also pose a serious threat to south western signi cant changes for the agricultural sector include plant which grows to a height of 30cm – 70cm and has Victoria’s primary production and natural environment. an increase farm size together with decreased farmer branches covered with ne, sti hairs or bristles. The Rabbits wreak havoc across the sub-catchment and numbers, increase use of contractors, an increasing use are declared as an established pest animal (wild or owers are self-pollinating and resemble a trumpet – of technology and more corporate farms in the fertile feral populations) under the CaLP Act. Rabbits are shape. They are bright yellow to slightly orange in colour cropping country in the south (Ararat Rural City Council, recognised as the most serious vertebrate pest in and are positioned on one side of the stem. The plant is 2010). found in degraded pastures, roadsides and in dry sandy Victoria, responsible for major environmental and areas and can rapidly spread by maintenance activities agricultural damage. Rabbits are a major factor in the Changes in farming methods have, over the years, led such as slashing and grading. This species is listed as loss and reduction of many native plant and animal to improvements in water use e ciency, however, Bill Sharp at the Southern Farming Systems eld day regionally prohibited under the CaLP Act, and is not species by causing detrimental habitat change, direct reduced run-o , salinity, acidi cation and erosion widely distributed but is capable of spreading further. grazing competition and prevent natural regeneration Land use remain important issues for the catchment. Other of native species. Current techniques available for It is likely that it could be eradicated from H11 H12 sub- Agriculture is the most extensive land use in the H11 emerging issues include cropping of wetland remnants, controlling rabbits can be categorised broadly as catchment with a collaborative targeted approach by H12 sub catchment, in the past, the area was known for the removal of volcanic plains rocks (habitat) to increase biological, chemical and mechanical. public authorities and land managers. its high quality Merino wool however; recently there has viable cropping land and the potential for contamination St Johns Wart is a owering plant which grows to about Biological control for rabbits has been particularly been an increased emphasis on intensive agriculture, by genetically modi ed crops. The agricultural sector 80cm. It produces woody owering stems to 1.2 m in e ective and include the myxoma virus causing the broad acre agriculture and horticulture, such as wine is also facing prolonged drought and the projected spring and are golden yellow with black dots on the disease myxomatosis, which only a ects rabbits. The production. The Water and Land Use Change Study variability of the climate. These shifts impact rural towns margins. It invades grasslands, woodlands, open forest, main chemical control used for rabbits is the poison; undertaken in 2004/2005 for Glenelg Hopkins CMA and communities with young people leaving farms and pastures, forestry plantations, roadsides, railway lines sodium ouroacetate (1080) which has an e ective suggested that 31% of the catchment was used for others moving away from farm work, this creates gaps and river banks. Seed can remain dormant in soil for at toxin providing a high mortality rate of up to 90 cropping while 43.7% was used for broad acre grazing. in the social infrastructure of rural districts and small least 20 years. Well-established infestations can largely per cent. Destruction of warrens and above-ground The report predicted that broad acre grazing activities towns (Ararat Rural City Council & Planisphere, 2014). eliminate all other plants and restrict recruitment to the harbours is the most widely used mechanical method would decline with a large shift to crop based agriculture. Surface water and groundwater resources are heavily over storey. The plant is poisonous to livestock, when for rabbit control. Warren ripping can be a cost- By 2020, 25.7% of the catchment will be broad acre utilised for urban, industrial and agricultural uses. eaten, St John’s wort causes in ammation of face, ears, e ective and e cient method for suppressing rabbit grazing and 42.3% will be crop based agriculture, by Population growth, intensi cation of agriculture and lips; a ects the nervous system (panting, salivation, numbers and inhibiting reinvasion of the treated area, 2030; broad acre grazing will drop to only 15.3% with growth in dams associated with rural residential land respiratory distress) and alters heart, blood vessel and because it deprives rabbits of a safe place for breeding. crop based agriculture increasing to 48.8% (Gervasi & P intestinal function. A ected animals can generally Other methods used less widely are fencing, shooting, use will place increasing demand on streams that are & P Design, 2006). recover between 3 to 6 weeks once removed from trapping and explosives to destroy warrens (DSEWPC, already highly ‘stressed’ (Clifton C, Daamen C & Horne access to the plant. Other weeds which have spread 2011). This change is due to a number of reasons, including A, 2005). 26 27 Biodiversity Blueprint Overview
Climate Variability sequestration potential and ability to act as ‘stepping Why is a blueprint needed? What will the blueprint do? stones’ for biodiversity through the catchment. Rivers Climate projections for the Glenelg Hopkins Regions The Beyond Bolac CAG was formed from a dedicated Completing a Blueprint for the H11 and H12 sub- are also critical for maintaining connectivity through suggest that the weather will be hotter and drier in the group of locals who recognised that the drying of and catchment will provide many bene ts for Beyond Bolac the landscape. Riparian vegetation and refuge areas coming years which will impact on land use, natural future management of Lake Bolac was a catchment CAG. will become increasingly important with reduced resources, the community and the biodiversity of the wide problem and would require the co-operation stream in ow and more hot days. A reduction in water A Blueprint will H11 H12 sub-catchment. of many individual landholders, industry bodies and availability and possible increase in demand may government agencies from across the catchment to • Provide baseline information on the health of the Temperature predictions suggests that there will be a intensify pressure on the region’s water resources, make a di erence. catchment greater number of hot days and few very cold days overall including its rivers and groundwater (GHCMA, 2015). which is likely to have a signi cant impact on terrestrial This dedicated group have been working hard over • Enable the group to track change over time habitats. The geographic range of both ora and fauna the last 10 years and have successfully achieved many • Provide an opportunity to species will be altered, as will life cycle processes such strategies from the H11 & H12 Catchment Health review the strategic plan for the group and key as migration, owering and breeding. The limited ability Report. The Beyond Bolac CAG is now looking to the issues to focus on for fauna to move through the landscape will further future and planning for the next 10 years to maximise re-connect with stakeholders and receive impact upon species ability to adapt to the changes in the outcomes it can achieve. valuable feedback climate. Ultimately the change in climate, will result in a The Norman Wettenhall Foundation landscape make strategic decisions on where to invest decrease in the region’s biodiversity and a change in the restoration project has enabled the Beyond Bolac CAG funding and resources current location of species and ecological communities to review its aim, create objectives, re-connect with (GHCMA,2015). view past projects and future projects visually its many stakeholders and develop a formal Blueprint using GIS mapping tools Rainfall in the region is predicted to decrease with an Wetland at Blythdale, Streatham to work towards to achieve large scale landscape • Assist the group to apply for future funding, and; increase in the intensity of extreme rainfall events restoration for the H11 and H12 sub-catchment area. • Inspire community and stakeholders to take action leading to less moisture in the soil and more erosion on environmental and sustainability challenges events. Less rainfall and greater temperatures are facing the catchment likely to cause a reduction in pasture production and persistence which could lead to changes to feed management systems. With reduced rainfall land may become more suitable for cropping and this could increase pressures from production on remnant vegetation, wetlands and waterways (GHCMA, 2015). CMA Climate Change Strategy 9 9
Rivers, oodplains and wetlands would be greatly impacted by the reduction in rainfall and subsequent runo and stream in ow. Rivers and wetlands that rely on direct precipitation will be most a ected. The region’s wetlands are likely to undergo a variety of changes such as reduction in size, conversion to dry land or a shift in wetland type. Despite wetlands being very vulnerable to climate change, they are by nature a resilient ecosystem (GHCMA, 2015).
The protection and enhancement of wetlands will First Committee receiving start up funding from Beth Mellick, become increasingly important due to their carbon Executive Director, The Norman Wettenhall Foundation
28 29 Biodiversity Blueprint Overview
Climate Variability sequestration potential and ability to act as ‘stepping Why is a blueprint needed? What will the blueprint do? stones’ for biodiversity through the catchment. Rivers Climate projections for the Glenelg Hopkins Regions The Beyond Bolac CAG was formed from a dedicated Completing a Blueprint for the H11 and H12 sub- are also critical for maintaining connectivity through suggest that the weather will be hotter and drier in the group of locals who recognised that the drying of and catchment will provide many bene ts for Beyond Bolac the landscape. Riparian vegetation and refuge areas coming years which will impact on land use, natural future management of Lake Bolac was a catchment CAG. will become increasingly important with reduced resources, the community and the biodiversity of the wide problem and would require the co-operation stream in ow and more hot days. A reduction in water A Blueprint will H11 H12 sub-catchment. of many individual landholders, industry bodies and availability and possible increase in demand may government agencies from across the catchment to • Provide baseline information on the health of the Temperature predictions suggests that there will be a intensify pressure on the region’s water resources, make a di erence. catchment greater number of hot days and few very cold days overall including its rivers and groundwater (GHCMA, 2015). which is likely to have a signi cant impact on terrestrial This dedicated group have been working hard over • Enable the group to track change over time habitats. The geographic range of both ora and fauna the last 10 years and have successfully achieved many • Provide an opportunity to species will be altered, as will life cycle processes such strategies from the H11 & H12 Catchment Health review the strategic plan for the group and key as migration, owering and breeding. The limited ability Report. The Beyond Bolac CAG is now looking to the issues to focus on for fauna to move through the landscape will further future and planning for the next 10 years to maximise re-connect with stakeholders and receive impact upon species ability to adapt to the changes in the outcomes it can achieve. valuable feedback climate. Ultimately the change in climate, will result in a The Norman Wettenhall Foundation landscape make strategic decisions on where to invest decrease in the region’s biodiversity and a change in the restoration project has enabled the Beyond Bolac CAG funding and resources current location of species and ecological communities to review its aim, create objectives, re-connect with (GHCMA,2015). view past projects and future projects visually its many stakeholders and develop a formal Blueprint using GIS mapping tools Rainfall in the region is predicted to decrease with an Wetland at Blythdale, Streatham to work towards to achieve large scale landscape • Assist the group to apply for future funding, and; increase in the intensity of extreme rainfall events restoration for the H11 and H12 sub-catchment area. • Inspire community and stakeholders to take action leading to less moisture in the soil and more erosion on environmental and sustainability challenges events. Less rainfall and greater temperatures are facing the catchment likely to cause a reduction in pasture production and persistence which could lead to changes to feed management systems. With reduced rainfall land may become more suitable for cropping and this could increase pressures from production on remnant vegetation, wetlands and waterways (GHCMA, 2015). CMA Climate Change Strategy 9 9
Rivers, oodplains and wetlands would be greatly impacted by the reduction in rainfall and subsequent runo and stream in ow. Rivers and wetlands that rely on direct precipitation will be most a ected. The region’s wetlands are likely to undergo a variety of changes such as reduction in size, conversion to dry land or a shift in wetland type. Despite wetlands being very vulnerable to climate change, they are by nature a resilient ecosystem (GHCMA, 2015).
The protection and enhancement of wetlands will First Committee receiving start up funding from Beth Mellick, become increasingly important due to their carbon Executive Director, The Norman Wettenhall Foundation
28 29 Biodiversity Maps Map 1 The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group Area The Beyond Bolac CAG area covers approximately 168,000 ha and stretches from Hexham in the south to Raglan and Buangor in the north. The area corresponds to the sub-catchment of H11 & H12 of the Upper Hopkins River Basin. The Fiery and Salt Creeks are the major waterways of this sub-catchment, with Lake Bolac being a major lake. Fiery The Biodiversity maps provided within the document Creek ows into Lake Bolac from the north, and the over ow from Lake Bolac enters Salt Creek and ows south to the will assist Beyond Bolac CAG make strategic decisions Hopkins River. There are numerous other permanent and temporary lakes and wetlands dotted across this landscape. for the H11 H12 sub-catchment. They visually represent the biodiversity information for the sub-catchment and are a quick reference tool for the group to use when applying for funding, holding discussions with stakeholders or assisting land managers develop projects. The maps included are all available within a GIS program called Q-GIS, which will enable Beyond Bolac CAG to use the maps more e ectively. Map users can zoom into speci c areas and see much greater detail and data layers can be viewed altogether or singularly or a couple at the same time which can support greater analysis of the data. The data has been sourced from the State Government of Victoria and will need to be updated as new data layers are released
30 31 Map 2 Modelled Native Vegetation 2005 Extent H11
This map shows the most current extent of native vegetation and major water-based habitat across the H11 H12 sub-catchment. The dataset categorises the landscape into native woody, native grassy and major native wetland cover together with probability ratings, ranging from “highly likely native vegetation cover” through to “unlikely to support native vegetation”. It is a combination of a number of spatial datasets such as tree cover, rainfall and temperature together with time-series LANDSAT imagery and ground-truthed site data. For the H11 H12 sub-catchment, this maps shows that native vegetation is highly likely to be present mainly in public parks or reserves as well as along the Fiery Creek, particularly in the north and some parts of Salt Creek. It also shows that there are a number of patches across the catchment which could possibly be native vegetation.
32 33 H12
This map shows the most current extent of native vegetation and major water-based habitat across the H11 H12 sub-catchment. The dataset categorises the landscape into native woody, native grassy and major native wetland cover together with probability ratings, ranging from “highly likely native vegetation cover” through to “unlikely to support native vegetation”. It is a combination of a number of spatial datasets such as tree cover, rainfall and temperature together with time-series LANDSAT imagery and ground-truthed site data. For the H11 H12 sub-catchment, this maps shows that native vegetation is highly likely to be present mainly in public parks or reserves as well as along the Fiery Creek, particularly in the north and some parts of Salt Creek. It also shows that there are a number of patches across the catchment which could possibly be native vegetation.
34 35 Map 3 Native Vegetation Pre 1750 Ecological Vegetation Classes H11
This map shows the estimated modelled extent of vegetation at EVC level prior to European settlement. It is based on eld data, environmental spatial data (soils, rainfall, topography etc.) and historical records such as Parish plans. For the H11 H12 sub-catchment, prior to European Settlement, it is believed that there were a total of 56 di erent EVC’s which existed and supported a large variety of plants and animals.
36 37 H12
This map shows the estimated modelled extent of vegetation at EVC level prior to European settlement. It is based on eld data, environmental spatial data (soils, rainfall, topography etc.) and historical records such as Parish plans. For the H11 H12 sub-catchment, prior to European Settlement, it is believed that there were a total of 56 di erent EVC’s which existed and supported a large variety of plants and animals.
38 39 Map 4 Native Vegetation 2005 Ecological Vegetation Classes H11
This map shows the most current estimated extent of vegetation at EVC level from expert analysis and interpretation of statistical and spatial information undertaken in 2005. This map shows a total of 67 di erent EVC’s existing in 2005.
40 41 H12
This map shows the most current estimated extent of vegetation at EVC level from expert analysis and interpretation of statistical and spatial information undertaken in 2005. This map shows a total of 67 di erent EVC’s existing in 2005.
42 43 Map 5 Bioregional Conservation Status 2005 H11
This map shows the Bioregional Conservation status of the EVC’s which currently exist across the catchment. The combination of EVC and bioregion is used to determine the bioregional conservation status (BCS) of an EVC. This is a measure of the current extent and quality for each EVC, when compared to it’s original (pre-1750) extent and condition. Each EVC is categorised as either being endangered, vulnerable or depleted.
This map is derived from a combination of the Victorian bioregions, pre-1750 EVCs, native vegetation extent and the vegetation quality datasets from the Victorian Government. Throughout the H11 sub-catchment, all the EVC’s present have been classed as endangered or vulnerable, in the far north of H12 sub catchment there are some large areas of depleted EVC’s.
44 45 H12
This map shows the Bioregional Conservation status of the EVC’s which currently exist across the catchment. The combination of EVC and bioregion is used to determine the bioregional conservation status (BCS) of an EVC. This is a measure of the current extent and quality for each EVC, when compared to it’s original (pre-1750) extent and condition. Each EVC is categorised as either being endangered, vulnerable or depleted.
This map is derived from a combination of the Victorian bioregions, pre-1750 EVCs, native vegetation extent and the vegetation quality datasets from the Victorian Government. Throughout the H11 sub-catchment, all the EVC’s present have been classed as endangered or vulnerable, in the far north of H12 sub catchment there are some large areas of depleted EVC’s.
46 47 Map 6 Threatened Flora and Fauna 2015 H11
This map contains a snapshot in time of ora and fauna taxa records from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA). The VBA for ora incorporates data from the Flora Information System and Victorian Rare or Threatened Population database. These include records from Victorian Government Departmental surveys, botanists, herbarium, eld naturalists, consultants, universities, and the general public. The VBA for fauna incorporates the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife, Aquatic Fauna Database, Subtidal Reef Monitoring Program and Intertidal Reef Monitoring Program data and include records from Victorian Government Departmental surveys, Museum of Victoria specimens, Birds Australia atlas, environmental consultants and eld naturalists groups.
This map shows the number of threatened ora and fauna records across the catchment, and also what their status is. There are only a few fauna species present with H11 that are listed as critically endangered, the majority of fauna species within the sub-catchment have been listed as vulnerable. While the ora records show many species are listed as endangered or vulnerable, with a few rare species being present throughout.
48 49 H12
This map contains a snapshot in time of ora and fauna taxa records from the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA). The VBA for ora incorporates data from the Flora Information System and Victorian Rare or Threatened Population database. These include records from Victorian Government Departmental surveys, botanists, herbarium, eld naturalists, consultants, universities, and the general public. The VBA for fauna incorporates the Atlas of Victorian Wildlife, Aquatic Fauna Database, Subtidal Reef Monitoring Program and Intertidal Reef Monitoring Program data and include records from Victorian Government Departmental surveys, Museum of Victoria specimens, Birds Australia atlas, environmental consultants and eld naturalists groups.
This map shows the number of threatened ora and fauna records across the catchment, and also what their status is. There are only a few fauna species present with H11 that are listed as critically endangered, the majority of fauna species within the sub-catchment have been listed as vulnerable. While the ora records show many species are listed as endangered or vulnerable, with a few rare species being present throughout.
50 51 Map 7 Hydrology 2016 H11
This map shows the natural and man-made hydrographic features across catchment, as well as the wetland types. The hydrological features have been categorised into Watercourses, such as channels, rivers and streams and connectors, such as drains. The wetlands layer shows the extent and type pf wetlands present. The wetlands are classi ed into primary categories based on wetland system type, salinity regime, water regime, water source, dominant vegetation and wetland origin. The H11 sub-catchment has a large number of wetlands present, many of which are ephemeral.
52 53 H12
This map shows the natural and man-made hydrographic features across catchment, as well as the wetland types. The hydrological features have been categorised into Watercourses, such as channels, rivers and streams and connectors, such as drains. The wetlands layer shows the extent and type pf wetlands present. The wetlands are classi ed into primary categories based on wetland system type, salinity regime, water regime, water source, dominant vegetation and wetland origin. The H11 sub-catchment has a large number of wetlands present, many of which are ephemeral.
54 55 Map 8 Index of Stream Condition 2010 H11
This map is a depiction of the 2010 Index of Stream Condition assessment which was undertaken across Victoria by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries. The map shows which rivers within the sub-catchment were included in the assessment, and what environmental condition they were assessed to be in. Based on this assessment, the Salt Creek and Fiery Creek have been assessed as Very Poor within the H11 sub-catchment, while in the H12 sub-catchment, Wongan Creek and the upper reaches of the Fiery Creek fared better being assessed as Poor.
56 57 H12
This map is a depiction of the 2010 Index of Stream Condition assessment which was undertaken across Victoria by the Department of Environment and Primary Industries. The map shows which rivers within the sub-catchment were included in the assessment, and what environmental condition they were assessed to be in. Based on this assessment, the Salt Creek and Fiery Creek have been assessed as Very Poor within the H11 sub-catchment, while in the H12 sub-catchment, Wongan Creek and the upper reaches of the Fiery Creek fared better being assessed as Poor.
58 59 Map 9 Land Cover 2014 H11
This map shows the various land cover classi cations in 2014 derived from time series analysis of satellite imagery from NASA. Ground data is also collected annually across Victoria using a random sampling approach for validation of the classi cations. This maps shows that brassicas, cereals and pasture and grassland are the dominate land cover classi cations across the H11 sub-catchment, with cereals being more dominate in the H12 sub-catchment.
60 61 H12
This map shows the various land cover classi cations in 2014 derived from time series analysis of satellite imagery from NASA. Ground data is also collected annually across Victoria using a random sampling approach for validation of the classi cations. This maps shows that brassicas, cereals and pasture and grassland are the dominate land cover classi cations across the H11 sub-catchment, with cereals being more dominate in the H12 sub-catchment.
62 63 Map 10 Cultural Heritage 2016 H11
This map shows areas of cultural heritage sensitivity. These areas are either known to contain, or are likely to contain Aboriginal cultural heritage places and objects and are de ned in the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007. Cultural Heritage Sensitivity mainly occurs along waterways and around wetlands, as these areas are where it is most likely to nd evidence of aboriginal existence. This map also shows two known aboriginal archaeological sites near Lake Bolac where stone arrangements, animal bones, stone tools and charcoal have been found. The cultural heritage sensitivity maps for Victoria are also publically available online.
64 65 H12
This map shows areas of cultural heritage sensitivity. These areas are either known to contain, or are likely to contain Aboriginal cultural heritage places and objects and are de ned in the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007. Cultural Heritage Sensitivity mainly occurs along waterways and around wetlands, as these areas are where it is most likely to nd evidence of aboriginal existence. This map also shows two known aboriginal archaeological sites near Lake Bolac where stone arrangements, animal bones, stone tools and charcoal have been found. The cultural heritage sensitivity maps for Victoria are also publically available online.
66 67 Map 11 Project Achievements 2016 H11
This map shows all funded projects which have been completed within the catchment. The majority of these projects have been implemented by Beyond Bolac CAG; however, some have been implemented by Glenelg Hopkins CMA. Knowing where projects have been undertaken will assist Beyond Bolac CAG plan future projects across the catchment.
68 69 H12
This map shows all funded projects which have been completed within the catchment. The majority of these projects have been implemented by Beyond Bolac CAG; however, some have been implemented by Glenelg Hopkins CMA. Knowing where projects have been undertaken will assist Beyond Bolac CAG plan future projects across the catchment.
70 71 Future Challenges
and projects. A survey, undertaken by the ABS, called To secure an environmentally sustainable and pro table the General Social Survey suggest that there has been a future, farmers need to continue to employ a range decline in Australians volunteering. In 2014, people were of strategies (ABS, 2015). A national Landcare survey less likely to be involved with an environment group undertaken in 2013 identi ed that 73% of farmers were than they were in 2010 (14% compared to 19%). While part of an agricultural related group, and of these the some forms of social participation measured in the GSS largest grouping was the local Landcare and Farming show a general decline, traditional forms of social and Systems groups at 32% with CMA/NRM groups being civic participation continue to play an important role in one of the smallest at 8%. Australian society. Nearly one third of farmers who It is important to recognise Australian farmers are intimately were part of local Landcare and societal shifts in the ways in connected to the land and depend Farming Systems groups, cited which people meet and interact. on healthy ecosystems to provide information that is tailored Digital forms of communication to local conditions and issues soil health, nutrient and waste and social networking have (29%); hands on eld days provided new opportunities for recycling, pollination from insects, that are locally relevant (22%); some people to connect with sediment control and clean water. Social networking (12%) and others, including those who are opportunity to see what other less mobile or geographically farmers are doing (11%) as their isolated. Some have suggested that younger people, main reasons for being part of these groups (Hayr, Healthy native grasslands in western Victoria in particular, prefer using social media to collect and 2013). Australian farmers feel that Landcare is still disseminate information. This preference for online relevant to the future, but also feel that Landcare needs networking could be linked to Australian’s in particular to continue to innovate and evolve (Hayr, 2012). How Beyond Bolac CAG recognises that there are a number of the Glenelg Hopkins Regions suggest that the weather feeling time poor and being able to connect with others Beyond Bolac CAG is structured and managed into the factors that will in uence the natural environment in the will be hotter and drier in the coming years which will online during a time that suits the individual best is future will be essential to gaining continued support H11 H12 sub-catchment. Changes in land use, weather impact on land use, natural resources, the community highly desirable (ABS, 2015). and involvement from the community. patterns, and an increased demand for natural resources and the biodiversity of the H11 H12 sub catchment. will help shape the local environment, community and Despite the overall trend of a hotter and drier climate Australian farmers are intimately connected to the economy, presenting challenges and opportunities for being clear there are uncertainties in climate change land and depend on healthy ecosystems to provide the sub-catchment’s future management. projections and their application at a regional level. soil health, nutrient and waste recycling, pollination from insects, sediment control and clean water. These uncertainties are compounded when identifying Within the catchment, there has been a shift away from grazing sheep and cattle to more intensive agriculture, impacts at local scales because of complexities in broad acre cropping and horticulture. This shift, in ecological interactions and interdependencies (GHCMA, land use, will impact on the natural assets within the 2015). Beyond Bolac CAG will need to understand how catchment, such as waterways and wetlands, however, the variability in the climate will impact on terrestrial it will also provide greater diversity in agricultural and aquatic habitats across the catchment and seek to business which could provide a boost to the local undertake projects to assist the catchment and land economy and provide opportunities for Beyond Bolac managers adapt to the changing climate. CAG to form partnerships and seek support for unique Community involvement will remain an ongoing projects. Beyond Bolac CAG will need to stay abreast challenge for the Beyond Bolac CAG. To ensure the of the various land uses within the catchment and ongoing success of the group, the committee will continue to support and work with all stakeholders to need to look at ways of attracting new members to the ensure the health of the catchment isn’t compromised. committee, as well as maintaining the interest of existing Climate variability, across the catchment, will also pose Landcare members and enticing other farmers to become challenges to land managers; climate projections for Landcare members to participate in future programs 72 73 Future Project Ideas H11
A list of potential projects has been developed by Beyond Bolac CAG to assist the group meet its vision over the next 10 years. The below maps indicate visually where these projects will take place within the catchment, and provides a brief summary of what the project aims to achieve. It’s important to note that these projects are provided for discussion purposes only and detailed local planning and on-ground works for such projects will require consultation with all relevant land managers and stakeholders. These project ideas are not set in stone and will most likely change as the projects evolve over the coming years.
74 75 H12
76 77 Monitoring and Evaluation References
Monitoring and evaluating the success of projects Gervasi D. and P &P Design (2006) H11 & H12 Catchment Health Report- Lake Bolac, Fiery & Salt Creeks, GHCMA, helps to improve current and future outputs, outcomes Hamilton. and impacts. Beyond Bolac CAG will evaluate projects Bureau of Meteorology (2015) Daily rainfall Buangor (Craigie) retrieved November 30 2015 from http://www.bom. undertaken to identify weaknesses and apply gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=136&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_stn_num=089109&p_ successful strengths to future projects. The group will startYear=2014&p_c=-1588279864 also undertake a continuous assessment to monitor the implementation of projects to provide all stakeholders Bureau of Meteorology (2015) Daily rainfall Lake Bolac (Post O ce) retrieved November 30 2015 from http://www.bom. with early detailed information, such as whether the gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=136&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_stn_num=089016&p_ outputs are being met or that the schedules planned startYear=2014&p_c=-1584966739 are being reached. This will enable the group to take action to correct the weaknesses as quickly as possible. Department of Environment Water Land and Planning (2015) EVC Benchmark- Bioregions retrieved December 1 2015 from http://www.depi.vic.gov.au/environment-and-wildlife/biodiversity/evc-benchmarks#dunt This Biodiversity Blueprint provides the baseline data for Beyond Bolac CAG to use to evaluate its performance Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2011) Nationally Threatened Ecological over time. The Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group Communities of the Victorian Volcanic Plain: Natural Temperate Grassland & Grassy Eucalypt Woodland, Commonwealth Strategic Plan 2016–2021 provides targets for each of Australia, Canberra. strategy as well as a timeframe to achieve the target. Planisphere (2014) Ararat Sustainable Future Growth Final Report, Ararat Rural City Council, Ararat. The group will review the strategic plan annually, to see if its meeting the targets set, make any changes Ararat Rural City Council (2010) Ararat Rural City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2010-2020, Ararat Rural required to improve its project implementation and set City Council, Ararat. its program for the following year. Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (2015) Glenelg Hopkins CMA Climate Change Strategy Responding to climate change in the Glenelg Hopkins Region, GHCMA, Hamilton
Clifton C. and Daamen C. and Horne A. (2005) Water and Land use change study- Changes in hydrology and ow stress with land use change in south-west Victoria Final Technical Report, Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Hamilton.
Mortlake Historical Society Book Committee (1985) Pastures of Peace: A Tapestry of Mortlake Shire, Shire of Mortlake, Mortlake
Wettenhall G and Gunditjmara people (2010) The people of Budj Bim: engineers of aquaculture, builders of stone house settlements and warriors defending country, em Press publishing, Mollongghip VIC
Dawson J. (1881) Australian Aborigines- The langauges and customes of several tribes of aborigines in the Western District of Victoria, Australia, Cambridge University Press, USA, 2009
Clark, Ian D. (1995) Scares in the landscape: a register of massacre sites in Western Victoria 1803-1959, Aboriginal Studies Press for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra.
Peterson, G. and Robertson, P. (2011) Recovery Plan for Corangamite Water Skink Eulamprus tympanum marnieae, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.
Weir J.K (2009) The Gunditjmara land justice story, Native Title Research Unit, the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Canberra.
Wikipedia (2015) Lake Bolac Stone arrangement retrieved on 3 March 2015 from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_ Bolac_stone_arrangement
Native Fish Victoria, Short Finned Eel retrieved 1 March 2016 from http://www.native sh.asn.au/sfeel.html
78 79 Smith, W.J.S. & P. Robertson (1999) National Recovery Plan for the Striped Legless Lizard (Delma impar): 1999-2003. le/0005/283064/Noxious-weeds-list-ordered-by-common-name.pdf Unpublished report to Environment Australia, Canberra. Agriculture Victoria (2014) Declared Pest Animals, Department Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Department of the Environment (2016) Litoria raniformis in Species Pro le and Threats Database, retrieved 1 Mar 2016 at Melbourne, retrieved 27 May 2016 from http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_ le/0007/283435/Declared-pest- http://www.environment.gov.au/cgi-bin/sprat/public/publicspecies.pl?taxon_id=1828 Department of the Environment, animals_4Dec2014.pdf Canberra Victorian Gorse Taskforce (2016) who is the VGT?, retrieved 27 May 2016 from http://www.vicgorsetaskforce.com.au/ Australian Bureau of Statistic (2015) 4159.0 - General Social Survey: Summary Results, Australia, 2014 retrieved 7 March who_is_the_vgt 2015 from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/mf/4159.0 Australian Weeds Committee (2016) Weeds of national signi cant Gorse Ulex europaeus, John Thorp Australia, Newstead, Australian Bureau of Statistics (2015) 1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2009–10, retrieved 7 March 2015 from http://www.abs. Tasmania, retrieved 27 May 2016 http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/gorse/ gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/1301.0Chapter16052009%E2%80%9310 National Gorse Taskforce (2006) Gorse National Best Practice Manual, Department of Primary Industries and Water, Hayr B (2013) 2013 National Landcare Survey Results- full survey, Department of Agriculture, Australian Government, Hobart, retrieved 27 May 2016 from http://www.weeds.org.au/WoNS/gorse/docs/GNBPM-intro.pdf Canberra. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (2011) Feral European Rabbit Hayr B (2012) Health of the Landcare Movement Survey Results- summary, Department of Agriculture, Australian (Oryctulagus Cuniculus), Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, retrieved 27 May 2016 from https://www.environment. Government, Canberra. gov.au/system/ les/resources/7ba1c152-7eba-4dc0-a635-2a2c17bcd794/ les/rabbit.pdf
Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (2007) Glenelg Hopkins CMA Habitat Network Action Plan: Wetland Care Australia (2016) Information Bulletin –Agriculture and wetlands, Ballina NSW, retrieved May 31 2016 from facilitating oral and faunal movement and reducing isolation, GHCMA, Hamilton http://www.wetlandcare.com.au/docs/education/IB%20Agriculture%20and%20Wetlands.pdf
Department of Environment & Primary Industries (2010) Index of Stream Condition: The Third Benchmark of Victorian Allender, U (2016) Upper hopkins_surfacewater_run record sheet, Upper Hopkins Land Management Group. River Condition ISC3, The State Government of Victoria, Melbourne. Andrews, D (2016) Pest plant species list, Ararat Rural City Council, (email) Sinclair Knight Merz (2005) Water and Land Use Change Study- Stage 2 Community Report, GHCMA, Hamilton Birdlife Ballarat (2016) Projects and Initiatives, retrieved 7 June 2016 from http://www.birdlife.org.au/locations/birdlife- Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority (2016) Wetlands, retrieved 23 May 206 from http://www.ghcma.vic. ballarat/projects-initiatives-bal gov.au/water/wetlands/ Ararat Rural City Council (2016) Weed Identi cation Booklet, State Government of Victoria Brolga Recovery Group (2016) About Brolgas, retrieved May 23 2016 from http://www.brolgarecoverygroup.org/about- brolgas
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80 81 Appendix1.
Map Data Resources
Map # Resource Name & Title Data Custodian Attribution Abstract Currency Date Web URL 2 NV2005_EXTENT Department of Environment, Land, Copyright © The State of Modelled dataset of Native Vegetation and major water- 24 August 2009 https://www.data.vic.gov. Water & Planning- Biodiversity and Victoria, Department of based habitats, created by the Arthur Rylah Institute, and au/data/dataset/native- Native Vegetation - Modelled Extent Ecosystem Services (DEPI) Environment, Land, Water completed July 15th, 2007 vegetation-modelled- 2005 & Planning 2016 extent-2005 3 NV1750_EVCBCS/EVC1750 Department of Environment, Land, Copyright © The State of This is a derived dataset that delineates the current 20 March 2008 https://www.data.vic.gov. Water & Planning- Biodiversity and Victoria, Department of Bioregional Conservation Status of EVCs within the au/data/dataset/native- Native Vegetation - Modelled 1750 Ecosystem Services (DEPI) Environment, Land, Water modelled 1750 EVC dataset. vegetation-modelled-1750- Ecological Vegetation Classes (with & Planning 2016 ecological-vegetation-classes- Bioregional Conservation Status) with-bioregional-conservation- status 4 NV2005_EVCBCS Department of Environment, Land, Copyright © The State of This is a derived dataset that delineates the Bioregional 20 March 2008 https://www.data.vic.gov. Water & Planning- Biodiversity and Victoria, Department of Conservation Status of EVCs. The dataset is derived from au/data/dataset/native- Native Vegetation - Modelled 2005 & Ecosystem Services (DEPI) Environment, Land, Water a combination of Victorian bioregions (VBIOREG100), vegetation-modelled-2005- Ecological Vegetation Classes (with & Planning 2016 Pre 1750 EVCs (NV1750_EVC) and the current version of ecological-vegetation-classes- Bioregional Conservation Status) 5 Native Vegetation Extent (NV2005_EXTENT). Bioregional with-bioregional-conservation- conservation status and geographic occurrence are applied status to unique Bioregion-EVC units. 6 VBA_FAUNA25 Department of Environment, Land, Copyright © The State of This layer contains a snapshot of fauna taxa records from 28 July 2015 https://www.data.vic.gov. Water & Planning- Biodiversity and Victoria, Department of the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA) (including most au/data/dataset/victorian- Victorian Biodiversity Atlas fauna Ecosystem Services (DEPI) Environment, Land, Water threatened taxa and marine protists). The main attributes biodiversity-atlas-fauna- records (unrestricted) for sites with & Planning 2016 in this layer are survey id, survey location, date, time, records-unrestricted-for-sites- high spatial accuracy locational accuracy, taxa recorded, counts, observation with-high-spatial-accuracy type, survey type, collector, and reliability of the record. The VERS_DATE column identi es the currency of the data. This layer excludes restricted taxa records. These records are contained in the related (but restricted) dataset VBA_ FAUNA_RESTRICTED. 6 VBA_FLORA25 Department of Environment, Land, Copyright © The State of This layer contains a snapshot of ora taxa records from 29 July 2015 https://www.data.vic.gov. Water & Planning- Biodiversity and Victoria, Department of the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas (VBA) (including most au/data/dataset/victorian- Victorian Biodiversity Atlas ora records Ecosystem Services (DEPI) Environment, Land, Water threatened taxa). The main attributes in this layer are biodiversity-atlas- ora-records- (unrestricted) for sites with high spatial & Planning 2016 survey id, survey location, date, time, locational accuracy, unrestricted-for-sites-with- accuracy taxa recorded, counts, observation type, survey type, high-spatial-accuracy collector, and reliability of the record. The VERS_DATE column identi es the currency of the data. This layer excludes restricted taxa records. These records are contained in the related (but restricted) dataset VBA_ FLORA_RESTRICTED.
82 83 Map # Resource Name & Title Data Custodian Attribution Abstract Currency Date Web URL 7 HY_WATERCOURSE Department of Environment, Land, Copyright © The State of This layer is part of Vicmap Hydro and contains line features 22 April 2016 https://www.data.vic.gov.au/ Water & Planning -Information Victoria, Department of delineating hydrological features. data/dataset/watercourse- Watercourse Network 1:25,000 - Services Division Environment, Land, Water network-1-25-000-vicmap- Vicmap Hydro Includes; Watercourses (ie channels, rivers & streams) & & Planning 2016 hydro Connectors. 7 WETLAND_CURRENT Department of Environment, Land, Copyright © The State of Polygons showing the extent and types of wetlands in 15 June 2015 https://www.data.vic.gov. Water & Planning- Water Division Victoria, Department of Victoria. This layer is an update of the Wetland 1994 layer, it au/data/dataset/victorian- Victorian Wetland Environments and Environment, Land, Water incorporates new regional mapping, some supplementary wetland-environments-and- Extent - up to 2013 & Planning 2016 mapping and repositioning of planimetrically inaccurate extent-up-to-2013 wetlands. Supplementary mapping involved identifying and delineating wetlands which had not previously been mapped, but did not modify the extent of existing wetlands. It was undertaken primarily using aerial photograph interpretation (photos from 2007 to 2011) supplemented with existing geospatial datasets that provided context and informed the identi cation of wetland boundaries (e.g. vegetation mapping, topography). Wetlands were classi ed (according to the new classi cation framework) into primary categories based on wetland system type, salinity regime, water regime, water source, dominant vegetation and wetland origin. 9 LANDUSE_2014 Department of Economic Copyright © The State of The Victorian Land Use Information System (VLUIS) 28 May 2015 https://www.data.vic.gov. Development, Jobs, Transport and Victoria, Department of dataset has been created by the Spatial Information au/data/dataset/victorian- Victorian Land Use Information System Resources - Agriculture Research Economic Development, Sciences Group of the Agriculture Research Division in the land-use-information- 2014/2015 and Development Jobs, Transport and Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, system-2014-2015 Resources 2016 and Resources. The method used to create VLUIS is signi cantly di erent to traditional methods used to create land use information and has been designed to create regular and consistent data over time. It covers the entire landmass of Victoria and separately describes the land tenure, land use and land cover for each cadastral parcel across the state, biennially for land tenure and use and annually for land cover; for each year from 2006 to 2015. 10 SENSITIVITY Department of Premier and Copyright © The State of This dataset contains a spatial representation of “Areas of 05 April 2016 https://www.data.vic.gov.au/ Cabinet- Oce of Aboriginal A airs Victoria, Department of Cultural Heritage Sensitivity” as speci ed in Division 3, Part data/dataset/areas-of-cultural- Areas of Cultural Heritage Sensitivity Victoria (DPC) Premier and Cabinet 2016 2 of the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007 (the Regs). heritage-sensitivity Areas of cultural heritage sensitivity are areas that are either known to contain, or are likely to contain Aboriginal cultural heritage places and objects. These areas, which include various landforms within Victoria, are de ned in the Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007. This polygon dataset is a representation of those areas as de ned in the Regs
84 85 Map 8 Index of stream Condition
The Index of Stream condition map was produced by creating a GIS data layer using information provided in the Department of Environment & Primary Industries, 2010 Index of Stream Condition- The Third Benchmark of Victorian River Condition ISC3. The lines have been drawn into the map and do not have any GPS co- ordinates attached to them.
Map 10 Cultural heritage sites
The cultural heritage sites layer was produced by creating a GIS data layer using the map of the approximate location of the two sites as shown in Glenelg Hopkins CMA’s H11 & H12 Catchment Health Report- Lake Bolac, Fiery & Salt Creeks, pg 12. These site have been drawn into the map and do not have accurate GIS coordinates attached to them.
BBCAG members at catchment eld trip August 2016
86 87 This document and associated GIS mapping was composed by Jileena Cole under the guidance of the Beyond Bolac Catchment Action Group. Funded by The Norman Wettenhall Foundation under their Landscape Restoration Program.